Energy Efficiency is a Positive Force for the United States

Dear Representative/Senator:

As a constituent, I write today to urge you to support federal energy efficiency programs. Energy efficiency is one of the best strategies we have for creating a more productive and competitive economy while simultaneously protecting our natural resources. Federal efficiency programs housed at the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and elsewhere play a critical role in keeping the U.S. at the forefront of this important field.

Other programs like ENERGY STAR run by the EPA are models for how the federal government, in partnership with the private sector, can act as a catalyst for investments in energy efficiency. Since its inception in 1992, ENERGY STAR has helped American families and businesses save $430 billion on utility bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2.7 billion metric tons. It costs less than $50 million per year to administer and in 2015 alone delivered more than $34 billion in energy-saving benefits to American businesses and consumers.

All of this work also creates jobs and economic activity. A recent report estimates that there are 2.25 million energy efficiency jobs in the U.S. Not only does that put energy efficiency at the top of all the energy-related subsectors, but energy efficiency is also the fastest growing subsector in the country as it added 67,000 new jobs in 2017. These jobs are often connected to small businesses and are present in every state across the country.

Please protect these programs and support energy efficiency initiatives that are helping to ensure America remains a global leader in efficiency, economic productivity and sustainability.